European Olympic Committees (EOC) Executive Committee members Mihai Covaliu and Annamarie Phelps and EOC Treasurer Peter Mennel today attended the funeral of former Polish National Olympic Committee (NOC) President Andrzej Kraśnicki.
Krasnicki died on January 10, 2025, and a state funeral was held in Poland in the presence of the President of Poland Andrzej Duda and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach.
Speaking on behalf of the EOC during the funeral, Romanian NOC President Covaliu paid tribute to Kraśnicki’s service and dedication to sport.
He highlighted the pivotal role played by Kraśnicki in the successful staging of the 2023 European Games in Krakow-Małopolska 2023, through which he served on the EOC Executive Committee in an Ex-Officio position.
“Andrzej made a significant contribution to Polish sport in his capacity as President of the National Olympic Committee from 2010 to 2023, helping it to reach new heights,” President Covaliu said.
“He played a fundamental role in the successful bid and organisation of the 2023 European Games in Kraków-Małopolska.
“Without his wisdom and cooperative leadership, the European Games could not have been as huge a success as they were for thousands of athletes from across Europe.
“Andrzej was a great friend to so many in the Olympic Movement in Europe and beyond, and he will be dearly missed
“On behalf of the European Olympic Committees, thank you, Andrzej.”
In addition to his roles with the EOC and Polish NOC, Kraśnicki represented Europe on the ANOC Executive Council and ANOC on the WADA Foundation Board during his decades of service to sport.
His contributions to the Olympic Movement were recognised in October 2023 when he received the EOC Order of Merit at the 52nd General Assembly in Istanbul, Türkiye, and the Olympic Order at the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai, India.
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